Fake-Fat Sunny Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 1. The ST play was outstanding due to good use of schemes (in contrast to the mediocre ST schemes under GW/Smith). acquisition of some good players (Smith, Peters), increased and better training of existing players (Wire, Stamer), and strategic use of starters (Clements, Fletcher). The really good news is the play of several skill position players like McGee and Moorman. 2. The D play was also outstanding as not only did the run blitz continue to be well employed under gray, but he showed some wonderful strategic ability both in terms of game-planning and making effective adjustments and implementing them within games. Most impressive was that this unit became a big play unit in terms of generating turnovers and even turning them into points. 3. The O play improved from its horrendous non-production last year to reach an improved but still inadequate level of being spotty at best. The OL improved now that it has adult management rather than the inexperience of Vinky and Ruel. There are miles to go but it is at least moving in the right direction. The receiving corps is much improved with the addition of Evans. The TE corps was wracked by injuries but hung in there, There is no Ben Coates in terms of production but we can now think at this level as we are a player away from effective TE use. WM shows every sign of being a Pro Bowl runner and depth is now the question. The QB play is improved by better use of Bledsoe positives and non reliance on Bledsoe negatives ut still needs more help. I think we are actually in a better situation to make some changes: 1. As always in the NFL, there are FA issues but they appear minimal by normal NFL standards and manageable. 2. Lindell has provided all the room needed to eat a $600K inveestment in him and look elsewhere for skill position kicking help. I really doubted that the Bills braintrust would want to upset the applecart of ST play since our kick coverage results wiht Lindell's directional and height of kickoffs has been good. However, by missing a crucial chip shot yesterday, Lindell has erased the benefit of a good statistical performance by him under 40 yards this season and his inability to hit kicks over 40 will rule. If the Bills feel confident that they can get good kickoff results from Nugent or somebody else I think they will do this! 3. The team improving from 6-10 to 8-7 under Bledsoe makes it a virtual certainty that he will be our #1 QB moving into next season. However, Bledsoe's lack of production in the critical game yesterday means that Losman will get a real look as to when the future begins. If JP is good enough he can beat out Bledsoe next pre-season. He obviously would be improved if he played more this year, but if he is that good he should still be able to beat out Bledsoe in the next pre-season. Wait til this year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lothar Posted January 3, 2005 Share Posted January 3, 2005 The TE corps was wracked by injuries but hung in there, There is no Ben Coates in terms of production but we can now think at this level as we are a player away from effective TE use. WM shows every sign of being a Pro Bowl runner and depth is now the question. The QB play is improved by better use of Bledsoe positives and non reliance on Bledsoe negatives ut still needs more help. 191173[/snapback] Only a handfull of teams have a Shockey or Gonzales. If we try to improve here, that would be more for Drew's benefit than Losman. Our TEs need to be great blockers first. 2. Lindell has provided all the room needed to eat a $600K inveestment in him and look elsewhere for skill position kicking help. I really doubted that the Bills braintrust would want to upset the applecart of ST play since our kick coverage results wiht Lindell's directional and height of kickoffs has been good. However, by missing a crucial chip shot yesterday, Lindell has erased the benefit of a good statistical performance by him under 40 yards this season and his inability to hit kicks over 40 will rule. If the Bills feel confident that they can get good kickoff results from Nugent or somebody else I think they will do this! 191173[/snapback] Finding clutch kickers aint easy. Unless we draft a Nugent or sign a Vanderjagt, I think we let Lindell grow into this position for 1 more year. 3. The team improving from 6-10 to 8-7 under Bledsoe makes it a virtual certainty that he will be our #1 QB moving into next season. However, Bledsoe's lack of production in the critical game yesterday means that Losman will get a real look as to when the future begins. If JP is good enough he can beat out Bledsoe next pre-season. He obviously would be improved if he played more this year, but if he is that good he should still be able to beat out Bledsoe in the next pre-season. 191173[/snapback] OK FFS but the stats show that Bledsoe ranked in the botom 3rd of QBs in nearly every measurable category. If Losman's an air breather and his knuckles don't drag, we shouldn't be any worse off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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